Understanding the Unseen Impact of Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions happen more often than you might think, and the injuries that result can have long-lasting impacts on your life. For this reason, it is critical to be aware of the most common rear-end collision injuries.
Imagine taking your child to a store. You’re about to pull out of the parking lot, sitting at a stop sign, when suddenly something… off… catches your eye in the rear-view mirror. A car speeding towards you with no signs of slowing down. You don’t have time to hit the gas and move out of the way. What do you do?
At The Biker Lawyers, we’ve seen firsthand how serious these accidents can be and the uphill battle victims face in recovering physically, emotionally, and financially. Let’s dive into the common injuries from rear-end collisions, how these accidents happen, and what you can do to protect yourself if you’ve been hit.
6 Common Rear-End Collision Injuries
Rear-end collisions may seem like minor accidents, especially if they happen at low speeds, but they can cause severe and long-lasting injuries. Here’s a breakdown of the most common physical injuries we see in rear-end crashes:
Whiplash
Whiplash, as explained by the Mayo Clinic, is one of the most common rear-end collision injuries. This injury occurs when your neck and head are jerked forward and then backward suddenly. This causes strain and damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck, leading to chronic pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
Spinal Injuries
The force of impact in a rear-end collision can compress or damage the spine, resulting in herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, or nerve damage. Spinal injuries can lead to long-term pain, limited mobility, and in some cases, paralysis according to the NIH.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Even without hitting your head directly, the rapid movement of your brain inside the skull during a rear-end collision can cause a traumatic brain injury. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, cognitive issues, and even memory loss. According to research, TBIs are a common but often overlooked consequence of car accidents, highlighting the importance of seeking medical attention after a collision.
Soft Tissue Injuries
These include injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Soft tissue injuries can cause pain and limit your ability to perform everyday tasks.
Soft tissue injuries may not show up on X-rays but can be equally debilitating.
Broken Bones
Depending on the severity of the crash, rear-end collisions can cause fractures to the arms, legs, ribs, and face, which require lengthy healing times and sometimes surgery.
Concussion
A concussion is a type of mild TBI that can occur when the head is jerked around in a crash. The CDC warns that mild TBIs (including concussions) are serious, despite typically not being life threatening.
How Rear-End Collisions Happen- Causes and Fault Explained
Rear-end collisions are typically the result of one vehicle following too closely or not paying attention to the road.
Top 5 of the Most Common Causes of Rear-end Collisions Every Year
Distracted Driving
Whether it’s texting, eating, or fiddling with the radio, drivers who aren’t paying attention to the road ahead can cause serious crashes.
Speeding
Drivers going too fast for conditions have less time to react to sudden stops, leading to rear-end accidents.
Weather Conditions
Wet or icy roads can reduce traction, especially when riding a motorcycle, causing vehicles to slide into the cars in front of them.
Tailgating
Following too closely gives drivers less room to stop in an emergency, leading to rear-end collisions.
Drowsy or Impaired Driving
When drivers are fatigued or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, their reaction times are slower, increasing the likelihood of a crash.
Determining Fault in Rear-End Collisions
In most rear-end collision cases in Iowa, the driver in the rear is at fault. This is because traffic laws require drivers to leave enough space between vehicles to avoid a crash.
However, determining fault isn’t always straightforward, especially if multiple vehicles are involved or if the lead vehicle’s actions contributed to the crash.
Working with an experienced attorney can help clarify the details of the accident and ensure that fault is properly assigned.
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A Cedar Rapids Family’s Fight for Justice
Remember the scenario at the beginning of this article? It’s based on a true story.
Not long ago, we represented a family in Cedar Rapids whose lives were changed in an instant.
Our client was stopped at a sign with his small child in the passenger seat when he saw an elderly driver approaching too fast.
With only seconds to react, he turned to shield his child just before the impact. While the child was unharmed, our client wasn’t as fortunate.
The collision left him with severe spinal injuries that required multiple surgeries and months of physical therapy. To this day, he struggles with chronic pain from his injuries.
In the span of only a few seconds, he went from being the dependable guy who would drop anything to take his kids on a bike ride, hike, or to take on a project with friends – to feeling like he was missing out because he no longer knew how long he would be able to remain standing before pain would ruin his day.
As if the physical toll wasn’t enough, the at-fault driver’s insurance company offered just $30,000—nowhere near enough to cover his medical bills or lost wages. He felt hopeless until he called us.
At The Biker Lawyers, we don’t back down. We took the case to court and secured a judgment of over $700,000 for our client.
This is why you need a lawyer who will fight for you, especially when dealing with insurance companies that try to minimize your claim.
What is the Average Settlement for Rear-End Collision with Injuries?
If you’re wondering what the average settlement for a rear-end collision with injuries is, it depends on the severity of the injuries and the impact the accident has on your life. For minor injuries settlements can range from $10,000 to $30,000. However, more serious injuries like spinal damage, TBIs, or long-term disabilities can result in settlements of $100,000 or more.
Our case in Cedar Rapids, where we secured over $700,000, is a prime example of how much a rear-end collision injury lawyer can help you recover when the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation.
Types of Damages in a Rear-End Collision Case
When you’re involved in a rear-end collision, the damages go far beyond just the repair bills for your vehicle.
Here’s a breakdown of the types of damages you may be able to recover:
- Medical Expenses: This includes the cost of surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, medication, and ongoing treatment for injuries.
- Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be able to recover compensation for lost wages, both past and future.
- Pain and Suffering: Beyond the physical injuries, rear-end collisions can cause emotional distress and a lower quality of life. Compensation for pain and suffering takes these factors into account.
- Loss of Function: This can be loss of function of the body, and/or of the mind. When injuries leave permanent physical or emotional effects, this is an important category of damages.
- Property Damage: In addition to personal injuries, you can recover the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other damaged property.
- Punitive Damages: In rare cases where the other driver’s actions were particularly reckless or malicious, punitive damages may be awarded to punish them and deter future misconduct.
Free Rear-End Collision Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a rear-end collision, you don’t have to face this battle alone. At The Biker Lawyers, our experienced team of Iowa personal injury lawyers is ready to fight for you. Don’t let the insurance company lowball you—let us put our decades of experience to work. Contact us today for a free consultation and let’s get you back on the road to recovery.
This passage highlights the devastating shift from an active, dependable person to someone struggling with chronic pain and limitations after a severe injury. It captures the emotional toll of feeling like life is passing by while grappling with the uncertainty of pain affecting daily activities.